Sensitive Skin?

sensitive skin that is also combination. I am in my 20s. I am wondering if I should consider Clinique or Lancome's products. I have heard that Clinique can be very harsh for sensitive skin? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I don't think either would be good. Clinique is harsh, especially it's astringent, and Lacome has too much perfume and fragrance in some of it's products, which can irritate the skin.

I'm like you, and I use Cetaphil to wash my face, and a mask to take care of blemishes.

There are just so many choices, Turquoise Girl, and each individual has to find what is right for them.

All I can do is tell you what works for me and give you some general pointers. There is loads of information on the web.

Firstly, my skin type is dry, sensitive and thin to the point of translucency - you can see my veins in certain parts of my face. I used to have red, mottled patches on my cheeks for years till I gave up "products" and soap.

I wash twice a day with oils and hot water:
Cover face with a 50:50 blend of castor and olive oils. Rub it in gently for 30 seconds. Wash off with hot water and a flannel cloth.

Moisturies with Neal's Yard Jasmine Enriching cream + a couple of drops of Francincense essential oil.

That's my current routine. I have also had excellent results with herbal powders and flower waters.

In the winter, when the cold and wind are doing their damage, I make a face pack of thick dairy cream, egg yolk, honey and rose water. All these ingredients are very soothing to sensitive skin.

In the summer, when I freckle up and overheat, I make a face pack with yoghurt + a few drops of patchouli oil. I put this on my hair, face, neck and chest and sit in the garden. An amusing sight for the neighbour's children - and it scares the birds away, but really great for cooling and calming the skin.

I would recommend Dina Falconi's book "Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair" which contains loads of good recipes and suggestions for natural care of skin and hair.
It's been reviewed by Karen (here's the link)
http://www.hairboutique.com/books/bookreview081.htm

Best wishes

Uzma

Hi Josie

Supersensitive skin? Welcome to the club.

Karen's right, Clinique is too harsh. It stripped my skin and left it red and burning. So much for being hypoallergenic. That's because the manufactures are heavy-handed with chemical exfoliates and fragrance in their products.

Lancome is much better. Very soothing and calming. Not so nice on the pricing front, though.

Have you considered using only natural, food-grade substances on your skin? I would strongly recommend that you try this approach before spending oodles of cash on synthesized cosmetic products.

Uzma

Ditto Karen. And I reccomend, No synthetic fragrance and personally I stay away from petroleum derivatives...like mineral oil and petrolatum...I like botanically based oils.JMO

I sensitive skin that is also combination. I am in my 20s. I am wondering if I should consider Clinique or Lancome's products. I have heard that Clinique can be very harsh for sensitive skin? Any thoughts would be appreciated.